Is joking/banter with other men ok if you are married?

[lovenotwar149]

I am curious to see what other married women , or other women , actually men too, think of this?
I have a very emotionally expressive nature and I laugh and joke around a lot when interacting with other people.
I do this with men and women alike. and it goes down very well , I build rapport and connection with ppl very easily.
Recently , I have been questioning whether I have enabled 'flirty' comments from other men. I stay inside the playful/slightly cheeky (no sexual jokes at all) lane most definitely , but sometimes a man takes it in a sexy direction.When this has happened ,I ignore it ,not in an awkward way as I am quite a quick thinker and have a comeback so as not to make it awkward. I dont address the sexy comment b/c I am not offended/bothered by it.
As its happened with a few men recently , and I think it says everything about them , I have been wondering whether to change my ways.
What do ppl think pls?

Well the men you're laughing and joking certainly seem to think so.

Yes it does.

That’s their issue. Men have a long track record of projecting false assumptions onto women.

I joke and have “banter” with married men all the time. I sit next to one at work and we have a great time. Helps the day pass quicker.

My DH works in the room next to me and couldn’t care less - I also have “banter” with the married man who sits next to him at work. We all join in. We have a lovely work environment.

Any wives who are unhappy that their husbands are happy at work need to do a bit of self reflection and unclench a little.

I'm not sexulising women's bodies. A man might joke about getting his legs out.

Knew it.

No you keep trying to make out that you know a line has been crossed but it's the married men at fault and not you. But you're both/all doing it. Why then keep doing it if they are making their intentions clear? How do their wives react?
Does your partner laugh and joke the same with women?

I didn't say it isn't their issue. These are married men. But they are interpreting OP's behaviour as flirting so maybe it's a little too playful. OP says so herself that it's cheeky and playful. They think she's flirting.

Many men find a bubbly personality very attractive. They read it as a signal of openness and availability, including to sex. It’s not your fault that they misread these signals, but I can guarantee it will keep happening.

We all have to modify our personalities a bit, according to who we’re dealing with. You may need to tone down the bubbles in the company of (some) men.

Toning down my bubbles here!!! Toning right down!!!

FFS

No reason why you can’t be your truly effervescent self with your girlfriends!

why you say that?

I think it’s ok as long as you recognise they’ve got the wrong impression and put an end to it. Some men don’t need much encouragement and take any attention as flirting. I used to have a friend who flirted outrageously with every man she met, but apparently had no idea she was doing it, then would get upset and annoyed when they asked her out, it was truly bizarre behaviour to watch.

I think it’s awful. You know it too. Cheap attention seeking that could lead to family breaking up.

A family breaking up because OP made a joke?

Only a concern to the controlling and insecure woman!
Im the same.. unfortunetly some men take friendly or happy as a huge attraction.
This is going to be entertaining!

"Cheap" or not...maybe a happy well adjusted light hearted human.
Im like this growing up with a moody bitch of a mother.

Uh Uh ,that's way OTT

Entertaining indeed! I want to make a joke but who knows what damage "I'll cause!!!"

thank you everyone for your replies. Very helpful. I am no watching this thread.
Best wishes to all :)

We can’t observe what you do in your interactions you describe as ‘emotionally expressive’, ‘laugh and joke around a lot’ and ‘playful/slightly cheeky’.

I have two friends/aquaintances who, in my view, seek male attention at mixed sex social things - one from men in general, one from specific men. It’s irritating and one of the main reasons I didn’t seek to become friends with them.

Had a close friend who did it a lot when younger, with men we knew and strangers when out. She found it fun, I found it irritating. Avoided going out with her at that time. She stopped when in her mid 20s.